Radiation-sensitive compositions and elements with solvent resistant poly(vinyl acetal)s

ABSTRACT

A radiation-sensitive composition can be used to prepare positive-working imageable elements having improved solvent resistance and is useful for making lithographic printing plates. The composition includes an alkaline soluble polymeric binder that is a specific poly(vinyl acetal) that exhibits improved resistance to press chemicals, and a radiation absorbing compound.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to radiation-sensitive compositions and positive-working imageable elements prepared using these compositions. It also relates to methods of imaging these elements to provide imaged elements that can be used as lithographic printing plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In lithographic printing, ink receptive regions, known as image areas, are generated on a hydrophilic surface. When the surface is moistened with water and ink is applied, the hydrophilic regions retain the water and repel the ink, the ink receptive regions accept the ink and repel the water. The ink is then transferred to the surface of suitable materials upon which the image is to be reproduced. In some instances, the ink can be first transferred to an intermediate blanket that in turn is used to transfer the ink to the surface of the materials upon which the image is to be reproduced.

Imageable elements useful to prepare lithographic (or offset) printing plates typically comprise one or more imageable layers applied over a hydrophilic surface of a substrate (or intermediate layers). The imageable layer(s) can comprise one or more radiation-sensitive components dispersed within a suitable binder. Following imaging, either the exposed regions or the non-exposed regions of the imageable layer(s) are removed by a suitable developer, revealing the underlying hydrophilic surface of the substrate. If the exposed regions are removed, the element is considered as positive-working Conversely, if the non-exposed regions are removed, the element is considered as negative-working. In each instance, the regions of the imageable layer(s) that remain are ink-receptive, and the regions of the hydrophilic surface revealed by the developing process accept water or aqueous solutions (typically a fountain solution), and repel ink.

Similarly, positive-working compositions can be used to form resist patterns in printed circuit board (PCB) production, thick-and-thin film circuits, resistors, capacitors, and inductors, multichip devices, integrated circuits, and active semiconductive devices.

“Laser direct imaging” methods (LDI) have been known that directly form an offset printing plate or printing circuit board using digital data from a computer, and provide numerous advantages over the previous processes using masking photographic films. There has been considerable development in this field from more efficient lasers, improved imageable compositions and components thereof.

Thermally sensitive imageable elements can be classified as those that undergo chemical transformation(s) in response to, exposure to, or adsorption of, suitable amounts of thermal energy. The nature of thermally induced chemical transformation may be to ablate the imageable composition in the element, or to change its solubility in a particular developer, or to change the tackiness or hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of the surface layer of the thermally sensitive layer. As such, thermal imaging can be used to expose predetermined regions of an imageable layer that can serve as a lithographic printing surface or resist pattern in PCB production.

Positive-working imageable compositions containing novolak or other phenolic polymeric binders and diazoquinone imaging components have been prevalent in the lithographic printing plate and photoresist industries for many years. Imageable compositions based on various phenolic resins and infrared radiation absorbing compounds are also well known.

A wide range of thermally-sensitive compositions that are useful in thermal recording materials are described in patent GB 1,245,924 (Brinckman), whereby the solubility of any given area of the imageable layer in a given solvent can be increased by the heating of the layer by indirect exposure to a short duration high intensity visible light and/or infrared radiation transmitted or reflected from the background areas of a graphic original located in contact with the recording material. Several systems are described that operate by many different mechanisms and use different developers ranging from water to chlorinated organic solvents. Included in the disclosed aqueous developable compositions are those that comprise a novolak type phenolic resin. Coated films of such resins are said to show increased solubility upon heating. The compositions may also contain heat-absorbing compounds such as carbon black or Milori Blue (C.I. Pigment Blue 27) to additionally color the images.

Thermally imageable, single and/or multi-layer elements are also described in WO 97/39894 (Hoare et al.), WO 98/42507 (West et al.), WO 99/11458 (Ngueng et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,467 (Kitatani), U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,217 (Ngueng et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,218 (Van Damme et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,646 (Urano et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,623 (Kawauchi), U.S. Pat. No. 6,143,464 (Kawauchi), U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,311 (Shimazu et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,812 (Shimazu et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,055 (Shimazu et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,811 (Patel et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,669 (Savariar-Hauck et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,228 (Savariar-Hauck et al.), and U.S. Patent Application Publications 2002/0081522 (Miyake et al.) and 2004/0067432 A1 (Kitson et al.).

The industry has focused on the need to diminish the solubility of the exposed regions of phenolic binders (dissolution inhibitors) in the imageable layers before exposure and to enhance their solubility after exposure to suitable thermal energy (dissolution enhancers). WO 2004/081662 (Memetea et al.) describes the use of various phenolic polymers or poly(vinyl acetals) in combination with developability-enhancing compounds of an acidic nature in positive-working compositions and elements. Some particular poly(vinyl acetals) useful in this manner are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,033 (Levanon et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,541,181 (Levanon et al.).

Some useful poly(vinyl acetals) are described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/677,599 (filed Feb. 22, 2007 by Levanon et al.), EP 1,627,732A1 (Hatanaka et al.), and U.S. Published Patent Applications 2005/0214677 (Nagashima), 2005/0214678 (Nagashima), and 2006/0275698 (My T. Nguen)

Problem to be Solved

Offset printing plates recently have been the subject of increasing performance demands with respect to resistance to solvents and common printing room chemicals. Printing plates encounter pressroom chemicals such as plate cleaning agents, blanket washing agents, and alcohol substitutes in the fountain solution. Particularly in printing processes using ultraviolet-curable inks, where rinsing agents with a high content of esters, ethers or ketones are used, the chemical resistance of conventional positive-working printing plates can be improved.

Imaged regions in such printing plates should be substantially insoluble in ultraviolet-curable inks and substantially insoluble in solvents, often glycol ethers, used to clean plates during or after a print run. Conventional quinone diazide/phenolic resin-based radiation-sensitive compositions are soluble in glycol ether solvents, and are disfavored for printing with ultraviolet-curable inks.

Another demand is that the imaged regions be substantially insoluble in the fountain solutions (or dampening liquids) that are used to wet the hydrophilic areas of the plates. Conventional fountain solutions are largely made up of water and a small amount of alcohol. More recently, such fountain solutions have been replaced, in some situations, with formulations comprising alternative additives in order to remove inflammable alcohol solvents from press room environments. Additives that have been used in this manner include surfactants and various non-volatile solvents that may be more aggressive towards the radiation-sensitive compositions. Conventional radiation-sensitive compositions are relatively susceptible to attack by replacement fountain solutions.

A need remains for positive-working, thermally imageable elements that have improved bakeable and improved resistant to press chemistries, such as lithographic inks, fountain solutions, and the solvents used in washes, such as UV washes. Bakeability is highly desirable because baking increases the press run length for the printing plates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the noted problem with a novel composition and positive-working element. Thus, the present invention provides a radiation-sensitive composition comprising:

a. an alkaline soluble polymeric binder, and

b. a radiation absorbing compound,

the alkaline soluble polymeric binder being a poly(vinyl acetal) that comprises recurring units that are represented by the following Structure (I):

-(A)_(m)-(B)-  (I)

wherein:

A represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ia):

B represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ib):

R and R′ are independently hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or halo group,

R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted phenol, substituted or unsubstituted naphthol, or substituted or unsubstituted anthracenol group,

R² is a substituted or unsubstituted naphthol but is different from R¹,

m is at least 20 mol %, n is at least 10 mol %, and

the radiation-sensitive composition further comprising a developability-enhancing composition.

This invention also provides a positive-working imageable element comprising a substrate having thereon an imageable layer comprising an alkaline soluble polymeric binder, and a radiation absorbing compound, wherein the alkaline soluble polymeric binder is a poly(vinyl acetal) comprising recurring units that are represented by Structure (I) or (I-A) defined herein.

Further, a method of making a printing plate comprises:

A) imagewise exposing a positive-working imageable element of the present invention to provide exposed and non-exposed regions, and

B) developing the imagewise exposed element to remove only the exposed regions.

The positive-working compositions and imageable elements of this invention exhibit improved resistance to press chemicals and require no pre-heating step before development. In addition, we found that the imageable elements have improved sensitivity, run length on-press, and bakeability. These advantages have been achieved by using a particular class of alkaline soluble poly(vinyl acetal) binders in the imageable layer that have improved resistance to the press chemicals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Unless the context otherwise indicates, when used herein, the terms “radiation-sensitive composition” and “imageable element” are meant to be references to embodiments of the present invention.

In addition, unless the context indicates otherwise, the various components described herein such as “poly(vinyl acetal)”, “radiation absorbing compound”, “secondary polymeric binder”, and “developability-enhancing compound”, also refer to mixtures of each component. Thus, the use of the articles “a”, “an”, and “the” is not necessarily meant to refer to only a single component.

Unless otherwise indicated, percentages refer to percents by weight.

The term “single-layer imageable element” refers to imageable elements that require only one layer for imaging, but as pointed out in more detail below, such elements may also include one or more layers under or over (such as a topcoat) the imageable layer to provide various properties.

As used herein, the term “radiation absorbing compound” refers to compounds that are sensitive to certain wavelengths of radiation and can convert photons into heat within the layer in which they are disposed. These compounds may also be known as “photothermal conversion materials”, “sensitizers”, or “light to heat convertors”.

For clarification of definition of any terms relating to polymers, reference should be made to “Glossary of Basic Terms in Polymer Science” as published by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (“IUPAC”), Pure Appl. Chem. 68, 2287-2311 (1996). However, any different definitions set forth herein should be regarded as controlling.

The terms “polymer” and “poly(vinyl acetal) refer to high and low molecular weight polymers including oligomers and includes both homopolymers and copolymers.

The term “copolymer” refers to polymers that are derived from two or more different monomers, or have two or more different recurring units, even if derived from the same monomer.

The term “backbone” refers to the chain of atoms in a polymer to which a plurality of pendant groups are attached. An example of such a backbone is an “all carbon” backbone obtained from the polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers. However, other backbones can include heteroatoms wherein the polymer is formed by a condensation reaction of some other means.

Uses

The radiation-sensitive compositions of this invention can be used to form resist patterns in printed circuit board (PCB) production, thick-and-thin film circuits, resistors, capacitors, and inductors, multi-chip devices, integrated circuits, and active semi-conductive devices. In addition and preferably, they can be used to provide positive-working imageable elements that in turn can be used to provide lithographic printing plates. Other uses would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

Radiation-Sensitive Compositions

The radiation-sensitive compositions include one or more alkaline soluble polymeric binders that are poly(vinyl acetal)s as defined below. These poly(vinyl acetal)s are considered the “primary” polymeric binders present in the composition or imageable layer. The weight average molecular weight (M_(w)) of the useful polymers is generally at least 5,000 and can be up to 300,000 and typically from about 20,000 to about 50,000. The optimal M_(w) may vary with the specific polymer and its use.

The alkaline soluble primary polymeric binder is a poly(vinyl acetal) that comprises recurring units that are represented by the following Structure (I):

-(A)_(m)-(B)_(n)-  (I)

wherein:

A represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ia):

B represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ib):

In some embodiments, the useful poly(vinyl acetal)s further comprise recurring units that are represented by one or more of the following Structures (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), and (Ig):

In the above structures, R and R′ are independently hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms (such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, chloromethyl, trichloromethyl, iso-propyl, iso-butyl, t-butyl, iso-pentyl, neo-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl and iso-hexyl groups), or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms in the ring (such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, methylcyclohexyl, and cyclohexyl groups), or a halo group (such as fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo). Typically, R and R′ are independently hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted methyl or chloro group, or for example, they are independently hydrogen or unsubstituted methyl.

R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted phenol, a substituted or unsubstituted naphthol, or a substituted or unsubstituted anthracenol group. These phenol, naphthol, and anthracenol groups can have up to 3 additional substituents including additional hydroxy substituents, methoxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, thioaryloxy, halomethyl, trihalomethyl, halo, nitro, azo, thiohydroxy, thioalkoxy, cyano, amino, carboxy, ethenyl, carboxyalkyl, phenyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heteroalicyclic groups. For example, R¹ can be an unsubstituted phenol or naphthol group such as a 2-hydroxyphenyl or a hydroxynaphthyl group.

R² is a substituted or unsubstituted naphthol group. It can have up to 3 additional substituents as described above for R¹. In addition, R² is different from R¹.

R³ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms (such as ethynyl groups), or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group such as carboxy-substituted phenyl groups (including phenyl, 4-carboxyphenyl, carboxyalkyleneoxyphenyl, and carboxyalkylphenyl groups).

R⁴ is an —O—C(═O)—R⁵ group wherein R⁵ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 or 10 carbon atoms in the aromatic ring (such as substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and naphthyl groups, including phenyl, xylyl, tolyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, and naphthyl). Typically, R⁵ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as an unsubstituted methyl or ethyl group.

R⁶ is a hydroxy group.

R⁷ is the following group:

wherein X is a direct single bond or a —O—CH₂— group.

It would also be apparent to one skilled in the art that while R⁷ is illustrated above in an “unopened” form (that is, with a fused ring), it can also exist in the “opened” form wherein there is no heterocyclic ring and there is no bond between the —CH< group and the phenyl ring, and the additional carbon valence is replaced with a hydrogen atom. Thus, the “opened” and “unopened” forms of R⁷ are considered equivalent for purposes of this invention.

In Structure (I), m is at least 20 mol % and typically at least 30 mol % or from about 50 to about 80 mol %, n is at least 10 and typically at least 20 mol %. The sum of m and n (m+n) can be as high as practically possible, but in some embodiments this sum is less than or equal to 75 mol % and typically less than or equal to 60 mol %.

When the recurring units represented by Structures (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), and (Ig) are present in the polymeric binder in the following amounts:

from about 2 to about 10 mol % of recurring units represented by Structure (Ic),

from about 2 to about 25 mol % of recurring units represented by either or both of Structures (Id) and (Ie),

from about 1 to about 15 mol % of recurring units represented by Structure (If), and

from about 15 to about 30 mol % of recurring units represented by Structure (Ig).

In some embodiments, the alkaline soluble polymeric binder is represented by the following Structure (I-A):

-(A)_(m)-(B)_(n)-(C)_(p)-(D)_(q)-(E)_(r)-(F)_(s)-(G_(t)-  (I-A)

wherein:

A represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ia):

B represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ib):

C represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ic):

D represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Id):

E represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ie):

F represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (If):

G represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ig):

wherein R and R′, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ are as defined above,

-   -   m is at least 30 mol %, n is at least 20 mol %, the sum of m and         n (m+n) is less than or equal to 60 mol %,

p is from about 2 to about 10 mol %,

q and r are independently from about 2 to about 25 mol %,

s is from about 1 to about 15 mol %, and

t is from about 15 to about 30 mol %.

A primary polymeric binder comprising recurring units that are represented by Structure (I) or (I-A) may contain recurring units other than those defined by the noted Structures and such recurring units would be readily apparent to a skilled worker in the art. Thus, Structures (I) and (I-A) in their broadest sense are not limited to the defined recurring units. However, in some embodiments, only the recurring units specifically defined in Structure (I) or (I-A) are present.

There may be multiple types of recurring units from any of the defined classes of recurring units of Structures (Ia) through (Ig) with different substituents. For example, there may be multiple types of recurring units of Structure (Ia) with different R¹ groups. Such multiplicity of recurring units can also be true for those represented by any of Structures (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), and (Ig).

Content of the primary polymeric binder in the radiation-sensitive composition that forms a radiation-sensitive layer is generally from about 10 to about 99% of the total dry weight, and typically from about 30 to about 95% of the total dry weight. Many embodiments would include the primary polymeric binder in an amount of from about 50 to about 90% of the total composition or layer dry weight.

The poly(vinyl acetals) of Structure (I) or (I-A) described herein can be prepared using known starting materials and reaction conditions including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,541,181 (noted above).

For example, acetalization of the polyvinyl alcohols can take place according to known standard methods for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,124 (Dhillon et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,646 (Pawlowski), U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,898 (Walls et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,619 (Dwars et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,823 (Kim et al.), and in Japanese Kokai 09-328,519 (Yoshinaga).

This acetalization reaction generally requires addition of a strong inorganic or organic catalyst acid. Examples of catalyst acids are hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid. Other strong acids are also useful such as perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid and other perfluoro-activated acids. The amount of acid should effectively allow protonation to occur, but will not significantly alter the final product by causing unwanted hydrolysis of the acetal groups. The reaction temperature of the acetalization depends on the kind of aldehyde as well as the desired level of substitution. It is between 0° C. and, if applicable, the boiling point of the solvent. Organic solvents as well as mixtures of water with organic solvents are used for the reaction. For example, suitable organic solvents are alcohols (such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, and glycol ether), cyclic ethers (such as 1,4-dioxane), and dipolar aprotic solvents (such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methyl pyrrolidone, or dimethyl sulfoxide). If acetalization is carried out in organic solvents or mixtures of organic solvents with water, the reaction product often remains in solution even if the starting polyvinyl alcohol was not completely dissolved. Incomplete dissolution of the starting polyvinyl alcohol in organic solvents is a disadvantage that may lead to irreproducible degree of conversion and different products. Water or mixtures of organic solvents with water should be used to achieve complete dissolution of polyvinyl alcohol and reproducible products as a result of acetalization. The sequence of the addition of the various acetalization agents is often of no importance and comparable finished products are obtained from different preparation sequences. To isolate the finished products as a solid, the polymer solution is introduced into a non-solvent under vigorous stirring, filtered off and dried. Water is especially suitable as a non-solvent for the polymers.

Unwanted hydrolysis of the acetal group achieved by acetalization with hydroxyl-substituted aromatic aldehydes takes place much easier than for the acetals built from aliphatic or not substituted aromatic aldehydes or from aldehydes containing carboxylic moieties at the same synthesis conditions. The presence of even a small amount of water in the reaction mixture leads to decreased degree of acetalization and incomplete conversion of the aromatic hydroxy aldehyde used. On the other hand, it was found that in the absence of water, the hydroxy-substituted aromatic aldehydes react with hydroxyl groups of alcohols immediately and with almost 100% conversion. So, the process of acetalization of polyvinyl alcohols by hydroxy-substituted aromatic aldehydes to achieve the desired polyvinyl acetals according can be carried out different from the procedures known in the art. The water can be removed from the reaction mixture during the synthesis by distillation under reduced pressure and replaced with an organic solvent. The remaining water may be removed by addition to the mixture an organic material readily reactive with water and as a result of the reaction producing volatile materials or inert compounds. These materials may be chosen from carbonates, orthoesters of carbonic or carboxylic acids, which easily react with water, silica-containing compounds, such as diethylcarbonate, trimethyl orthoformate, tetraethyl carbonate, and tetraethyl silicate. The addition of these materials to reaction mixture leads to 100% conversion of the used aldehydes.

Thus, the preparation of a useful poly(vinyl acetal) can begin with dissolving of the starting polyvinyl alcohol in DMSO at 80-90° C., then the solution is chilled to 60° C., and the acidic catalyst dissolved in an organic solvent is added. Then the solution of the aliphatic aldehyde in the same solvent is added to the solution, the solution is kept for 30 minutes at 60° C., and a solution of the aromatic aldehyde and/or carboxylic substituted aldehyde, or other aldehyde in the same solvent is added. Anisole is added to the reaction mixture, and the azeothropic mixture of water with the anisole is removed by distillation and is replaced by the organic solvent. At this stage, the conversion of the aromatic hydroxy aldehyde reaches 95-98%. The acid in the reaction mixture is neutralized and the mixture is blended with water to precipitate the polymer that is filtrated, washed with water, and dried. A second way to achieve 100% of conversion of the aromatic hydroxyaldehyde to benzal is to add the water removing organic material (for example, a carbonate or orthoformate) after addition of the aldehydes to the reaction mixture.

All acetal groups are 6-membered cyclic acetal groups. The lactone moiety is derived from the crotonic acid component by dehydration during the distillation stage of the reaction.

The poly(vinyl acetal) is generally present in the radiation-sensitive composition and the imageable layer of the imageable element generally in an amount of from about 10 weight % to about 99 weight %, and typically from about 30 to about 95 weight % based on the total solids in the composition or layer. Many embodiments would include the poly(vinyl acetal) in an amount of from about 50 to about 90 weight % based on the total solids.

The poly(vinyl acetal)s described herein generally comprise from about 10 weight % to about 100 weight % of the total polymeric binders in the radiation-sensitive composition or imageable layer, and typically from about 50 to 100 weight % of the total polymeric binders.

The poly(vinyl acetal)s described herein can be used alone or in admixture with other alkali soluble polymeric binders, identified herein as “secondary polymeric binders”. These additional polymeric binders include poly(vinyl acetal)s that are outside the scope of the primary polymeric binders [that is, not being within Structure (I) or (I-A)], for example, the poly(vinyl acetal)s described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,255,033 and 6,541,181 (noted above), WO 04/081662 (also noted above), and in copending and commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 11/677,599 (filed February, 2007 by Levanon et al.), which publications and copending application are incorporated herein by reference.

The type of the secondary polymeric binder that can be used together with the primary polymeric binder is not particularly restricted. In general, from a viewpoint of not diminishing the positive radiation-sensitivity of the imageable element, the secondary polymeric binder is generally an alkali-soluble polymer also.

Other useful secondary polymeric binders include phenolic resins, including novolak resins such as condensation polymers of phenol and formaldehyde, condensation polymers of m-cresol and formaldehyde, condensation polymers of p-cresol and formaldehyde, condensation polymers of m-/p-mixed cresol and formaldehyde, condensation polymers of phenol, cresol (m-, p-, or m-/p-mixture) and formaldehyde, and condensation copolymers of pyrogallol and acetone. Further, copolymers obtained by copolymerizing compound comprising phenol groups in the side chains can be used. Mixtures of such polymeric binders can also be used.

Novolak resins having a weight average molecular weight of at least 1,500 and a number average molecular weight of at least 300 are useful. Generally, the weight average molecular weight is in the range of from about 3,000 to about 300,000, the number average molecular weight is from about 500 to about 250,000, and the degree of dispersion (weight average molecular weight/number average molecular weight) is in the range of from about 1.1 to about 10.

Certain mixtures of the primary polymeric binders described above can be used, including mixtures of one or more poly(vinyl acetals) and one or more phenolic resins. For example, mixtures of one or more poly(vinyl acetals) and one or more novolak or resol (or resole) resins (or both novolak and resol resins) can be used.

Examples of other secondary polymeric binders include the following classes of polymers having an acidic group in (1) through (5) shown below on a main chain and/or side chain (pendant group).

(1) sulfone amide (—SO₂NH—R),

(2) substituted sulfonamido based acid group (hereinafter, referred to as active imido group) [such as —SO₂NHCOR, SO₂NHSO₂R, —CONHSO₂R],

(3) carboxylic acid group (—CO₂H),

(4) sulfonic acid group (—SO₃H), and

(5) phosphoric acid group (—OPO₃H₂).

R in the above-mentioned groups (1)-(5) represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group.

Representative secondary polymeric binders having the group (1) sulfone amide group are for instance, polymers that are constituted of a minimum constituent unit as a main component derived from a compound having a sulfone amide group. Thus, examples of such a compound include a compound having, in a molecule thereof, at least one sulfone amide group in which at least one hydrogen atom is bound to a nitrogen atom and at least one polymerizable unsaturated group. Among these compounds are m-aminosulfonylphenyl methacrylate, N-(p-aminosulfonylphenyl)methacrylamide, and N-(p-aminosulfonylphenyl)acrylamide. Thus, a homopolymer or a copolymer of polymerizing monomers having a sulfonamide group such as m-aminosulfonylphenyl methacrylate, N-(p-aminosulfonylphenyl) methacrylamide, or N-(p-aminosulfonylphenyl) acrylamide can be used.

Examples of secondary polymeric binders with group (2) activated imido group are polymers comprising recurring units derived from compounds having activated imido group as the main constituent component. Examples of such compounds include polymerizable unsaturated compounds having a moiety defined by the following structural formula.

N-(p-toluenesulfonyl) methacrylamide and N-(p-toluenesulfonyl) acrylamide are examples of such polymerizable compounds.

Secondary polymeric binders having any of the groups (3) through (5) include those readily prepared by reacting ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers having the desired acidic groups, or groups that can be converted to such acidic groups after polymerization.

Regarding the minimum constituent units having an acidic group that is selected from the (1) through (5), there is no need to use only one kind of acidic group in the polymer, and in some embodiments, it may be useful to have at least two kinds of acidic groups. Obviously, not every recurring unit in the secondary polymeric binder must have one of the acidic groups, but usually at least 10 mol % and typically at least 20 mol % comprise the recurring units having one of the noted acidic groups.

The secondary polymeric binder can have a weight average molecular weight of at least 2,000 and a number average molecular weight of at least 500. Typically, the weight average molecular weight is from about 5,000 to about 300,000, the number average molecular weight is from about 800 to about 250,000, and the degree of dispersion (weight average molecular weight/number average molecular weight) is from about 1.1 to about 10.

Mixtures of the secondary polymeric binders may be used with the one or more primary polymeric binders. The secondary polymeric binder(s) can be present in an amount of at least 1 weigh % and up to 50 weight %, and typically from about 5 to about 30 weight %, based on the dry weight of the total polymeric binders in the radiation-sensitive composition or imageable layer.

The radiation-sensitive composition can also include a developability-enhancing composition containing one or more developability-enhancing compounds. In some embodiments, such compounds have a boiling point greater than 300° C. and an evaporation rate < 0.01 relative to n-butyl acetate. Most of the useful basic nitrogen-containing organic compounds are liquids at 25° C. Two or more of these compounds can be used if desired.

Examples of basic nitrogen-containing organic compounds useful in the developability-enhancing compositions are N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine, N-phenyldiethanolamine, triethanolamine, 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxymethyl-1.3-propanediol, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylenediamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylenediamine, and hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine. The basic nitrogen-containing organic compounds can be obtained from a number of commercial sources including BASF (Germany) and Aldrich Chemical Company (Milwaukee, Wis.). Further details about these compounds are provided in copending and commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 11/677,599 (noted above) that is incorporated herein by reference. The basic nitrogen-containing organic compound(s) can be present in the radiation-sensitive composition (and imageable layer) in an amount of from about 1 to about 30 weight %, and typically from about 3 to about 15 weight %, based on the total solids of the radiation-sensitive composition or total dry weight of the imageable layer.

It is also possible to use one or more of these basic nitrogen-containing organic compounds in combination with one or more acidic developability-enhancing compounds, such as carboxylic acids or cyclic acid anhydrides, sulfonic acids, sulfinic acids, alkylsulfuric acids, phosphonic acids, phosphinic acids, phosphonic acid esters, phenols, sulfonamides, or sulfonimides, since such a combination may permit further improved developing latitude and printing durability. Representative examples of such compounds are provided in [0030] to [0036] of U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0214677 (noted above) that is incorporated herein by reference with respect to these acid developability-enhancing compounds. Such acidic developability-enhancing compounds may be present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 30 weight % based on the total dry weight of the radiation-sensitive composition or imageable layer. In some instances, at least two of these acidic developability-enhancing compounds are used in combination with one or more (such as two) of the basic-nitrogen-containing organic compounds described above.

In the combinations of the basic and acidic compounds described above, the molar ratio of one or more basic nitrogen-containing organic compounds to one or more acidic developability-enhancing compounds is generally from about 0.1:1 to about 10:1 and more typically from about 0.5:1 to about 2:1.

The radiation-sensitive composition can include other optional addenda as described below for the imageable layer.

Imageable Elements

The imageable elements are positive-working imageable elements and the poly(vinyl acetal)s described herein are generally present as polymeric binders in a single imageable layer of these elements. As noted above, they can be the sole polymeric binders or used in mixture with one or more secondary polymeric binders.

In general, the imageable elements are formed by suitable application of a formulation of the radiation-sensitive composition that contains one or more polymeric binders, a radiation absorbing compound (described below), optionally a developability-enhancing composition, and other optional addenda, to a suitable substrate to form an imageable layer. This substrate is usually treated or coated in various ways as described below prior to application of the formulation. For example, the substrate can be treated to provide an “interlayer” for improved adhesion or hydrophilicity, and the imageable layer is applied over the interlayer.

The substrate generally has a hydrophilic surface, or a surface that is more hydrophilic than the applied imaging formulation on the imaging side. The substrate comprises a support that can be composed of any material that is conventionally used to prepare imageable elements such as lithographic printing plates. It is usually in the form of a sheet, film, or foil, and is strong, stable, and flexible and resistant to dimensional change under conditions of use so that color records will register a full-color image. Typically, the support can be any self-supporting material including polymeric films (such as polyester, polyethylene, polycarbonate, cellulose ester polymer, and polystyrene films), glass, ceramics, metal sheets or foils, or stiff papers (including resin-coated and metallized papers), or a lamination of any of these materials (such as a lamination of an aluminum foil onto a polyester film). Metal supports include sheets or foils of aluminum, copper, zinc, titanium, and alloys thereof.

Polymeric film supports may be modified on one or both surfaces with a “subbing” layer to enhance hydrophilicity, or paper supports may be similarly coated to enhance planarity. Examples of subbing layer materials include but are not limited to, alkoxysilanes, amino-propyltriethoxysilanes, glycidioxypropyl-triethoxysilanes, and epoxy functional polymers, as well as conventional hydrophilic subbing materials used in silver halide photographic films (such as gelatin and other naturally occurring and synthetic hydrophilic colloids and vinyl polymers including vinylidene chloride copolymers).

One substrate is composed of an aluminum support that may be coated or treated using techniques known in the art, including physical graining, electrochemical graining and chemical graining, followed by anodizing. The aluminum sheet is mechanically or electrochemically grained and anodized using phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid and conventional procedures.

An optional interlayer may be formed by treatment of the aluminum support with, for example, a silicate, dextrine, calcium zirconium fluoride, hexafluorosilicic acid, phosphate/sodium fluoride, poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) (PVPA), vinyl phosphonic acid copolymer, poly(acrylic acid), or acrylic acid copolymer solution, or an alkali salt of a condensed aryl sulfonic acid as described in GB 2,098,627 and Japanese Kokai 57-195697A (both Herting et al.). The grained and anodized aluminum support can be treated with poly(acrylic acid) using known procedures to improve surface hydrophilicity.

The thickness of the substrate can be varied but should be sufficient to sustain the wear from printing and thin enough to wrap around a printing form. Some embodiments include a treated aluminum foil having a thickness of from about 100 to about 600 μm.

The backside (non-imaging side) of the substrate may be coated with antistatic agents and/or slipping layers or a matte layer to improve handling and “feel” of the imageable element.

The substrate can also be a cylindrical surface having the radiation-sensitive composition applied thereon, and thus be an integral part of the printing press. The use of such imaged cylinders is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,287 (Gelbart).

The imageable layer typically also comprises one or more radiation absorbing compounds. While these compounds can be sensitive to any suitable energy form (for example, UV, visible, and IR radiation) from about 150 to about 1500 nm, they are typically sensitive to infrared radiation and thus, the radiation absorbing compounds are known as infrared radiation absorbing compounds (“IR absorbing compounds”) that generally absorb radiation from about 600 to about 1400 nm and typically from about 700 to about 1200 nm. The imageable layer is generally the outermost layer in the imageable element.

Examples of suitable IR dyes include but are not limited to, azo dyes, squarylium dyes, croconate dyes, triarylamine dyes, thioazolium dyes, indolium dyes, oxonol dyes, oxazolium dyes, cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, indocyanine dyes, indotricarbocyanine dyes, hemicyanine dyes, streptocyanine dyes, oxatricarbocyanine dyes, thiocyanine dyes, thiatricarbocyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes, cryptocyanine dyes, naphthalocyanine dyes, polyaniline dyes, polypyrrole dyes, polythiophene dyes, chalcogenopyryloarylidene and bi(chalcogenopyrylo)-polymethine dyes, oxyindolizine dyes, pyrylium dyes, pyrazoline azo dyes, oxazine dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, anthraquinone dyes, quinoneimine dyes, methine dyes, arylmethine dyes, polymethine dyes, squarine dyes, oxazole dyes, croconine dyes, porphyrin dyes, and any substituted or ionic form of the preceding dye classes. Suitable dyes are described for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,572 (DeBoer), U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,135 (Patel et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,771 (Jandrue Sr. et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,618 (Chapman et al.), and EP 0 823 327A1 (Nagasaka et al.).

Cyanine dyes having an anionic chromophore are also useful. For example, the cyanine dye may have a chromophore having two heterocyclic groups. In another embodiment, the cyanine dye may have from about two sulfonic acid groups, such as two sulfonic acid groups and two indolenine groups. Useful IR-sensitive cyanine dyes of this type are described for example in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005-0130059 (Tao).

A general description of a useful class of suitable cyanine dyes is shown by the formula in [0026] of WO 2004/101280 (Munnelly et al.).

In addition to low molecular weight IR-absorbing dyes, IR dye moieties bonded to polymers can be used. Moreover, IR dye cations can be used as well, that is, the cation is the IR absorbing portion of the dye salt that ionically interacts with a polymer comprising carboxy, sulfo, phospho, or phosphono groups in the side chains.

Near infrared absorbing cyanine dyes are also useful and are described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,792 (Hauck et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,920 (Achilefu et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,356 (Urano et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,903 (Watanate et al.). Suitable dyes may be formed using conventional methods and starting materials or obtained from various commercial sources including American Dye Source (Baie D'Urfe, Quebec, Canada) and FEW Chemicals (Germany). Other useful dyes for near infrared diode laser beams are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,572 (noted above). The following IR dyes, as well as those used in the Examples below, are representative of useful radiation absorbing compounds and are not meant to be limiting in any way:

Same as above but with C₃F₇CO₂ ⁻ as the anion.

Useful IR absorbing compounds can also be pigments including carbon blacks such as carbon blacks that are surface-functionalized with solubilizing groups are well known in the art. Carbon blacks that are grafted to hydrophilic, nonionic polymers, such as FX-GE-003 (manufactured by Nippon Shokubai), or which are surface-functionalized with anionic groups, such as CABO-JET® 200 or CAB-O-JET® 300 (manufactured by the Cabot Corporation) are also useful. Other useful pigments include, but are not limited to, Heliogen Green, Nigrosine Base, iron (III) oxides, manganese oxide, Prussian Blue, and Paris Blue. The size of the pigment particles should not be more than the thickness of the imageable layer and preferably the pigment particle size will be less than half the thickness of the imageable layer.

In the imageable elements, the radiation absorbing compound is generally present at a dry coverage of from about 0.1 to about 20 weight %, or it is an IR dye that is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 5 weight %. Alternatively, the amount can be defined by an absorbance in the range of from about 0.05 to about 3, or from about 0.1 to about 1.5, in the dry film as measured by reflectance UV-visible spectrophotometry. The particular amount needed for this purpose would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, depending upon the specific compound used.

Alternatively, the radiation absorbing compounds may be included in a separate layer that is in thermal contact with the imageable layer. Thus, during imaging, the action of the radiation absorbing compound in the separate layer can be transferred to the imageable layer without the compound originally being incorporated into it.

The imageable layer (and radiation-sensitive composition) can also include one or more additional compounds that are colorant dyes. Colorant dyes that are soluble in an alkaline developer are useful. Useful polar groups for colorant dyes include but are not limited to, ether groups, amine groups, azo groups, nitro groups, ferrocenium groups, sulfoxide groups, sulfone groups, diazo groups, diazonium groups, keto groups, sulfonic acid ester groups, phosphate ester groups, triarylmethane groups, onium groups (such as sulfonium, iodonium, and phosphonium groups), groups in which a nitrogen atom is incorporated into a heterocyclic ring, and groups that contain a positively charged atom (such as quaternized ammonium group). Compounds that contain a positively-charged nitrogen atom useful as colorant dyes include, for example, tetraalkyl ammonium compounds and quaternized heterocyclic compounds such as quinolinium compounds, benzothiazolium compounds, pyridinium compounds, and imidazolium compounds. Further details and representative compounds useful as dissolution inhibitors are described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,311 (noted above). Useful colorant dyes include triarylmethane dyes such as ethyl violet, crystal violet, malachite green, brilliant green, Victoria blue B, Victoria blue R, and Victoria pure blue BO, BASONYL® Violet 610 and D11 (PCAS, Longjumeau, France). These compounds can act as contrast dyes that distinguish the non-exposed (non-imaged) regions from the exposed (imaged) regions in the developed imageable element.

When a colorant dye is present in the imageable layer, its amount can vary widely, but generally it is present in an amount of from about 0.5 weight % to about 30 weight %.

The imageable layer (and radiation-sensitive composition) can further include a variety of additives including dispersing agents, humectants, biocides, plasticizers, surfactants for coatability or other properties, viscosity builders, fillers and extenders, pH adjusters, drying agents, defoamers, preservatives, antioxidants, development aids, rheology modifiers or combinations thereof, or any other addenda commonly used in the lithographic art, in conventional amounts.

The positive-working imageable element can be prepared by applying the imageable layer formulation over the surface of the substrate (and any other hydrophilic layers provided thereon) using conventional coating or lamination methods. Thus, the formulation can be applied by dispersing or dissolving the desired ingredients in a suitable coating solvent, and the resulting formulation is applied to the substrate using suitable equipment and procedures, such as spin coating, knife coating, gravure coating, die coating, slot coating, bar coating, wire rod coating, roller coating, or extrusion hopper coating. The formulation can also be applied by spraying onto a suitable support (such as an on-press printing cylinder).

The coating weight for the imageable layer is from about 0.5 to about 2.5 g/m² and typically from about 1 to about 2 g/m².

The selection of solvents used to coat the layer formulation(s) depends upon the nature of the polymeric binders and other polymeric materials and non-polymeric components in the formulations. Generally, the imageable layer formulation is coated out of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, or another ketone, tetrahydrofuran, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, N-methyl pyrrolidone, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, γ-butyrolactone, and mixtures thereof using conditions and techniques well known in the art.

Alternatively, the layer(s) may be applied by conventional extrusion coating methods from melt mixtures of the respective layer compositions. Typically, such melt mixtures contain no volatile organic solvents.

Intermediate drying steps may be used between applications of the various layer formulations to remove solvent(s) before coating other formulations. Drying steps may also help in preventing the mixing of the various layers.

Representative methods for preparing positive-working imageable elements are described below in the examples.

After the imageable layer formulation is dried on the substrate (that is, the coating is self-supporting and dry to the touch), the element can be heat treated at from about 40 to about 90° C. (typically at from about 50 to about 70° C.) for at least 4 hours and preferably at least 20 hours, or for at least 24 hours. The maximum heat treatment time can be several days, but the optimal time and temperature for the heat treatment can be readily determined by routine experimentation. This heat treatment can also be known as a “conditioning” step. Such treatments are described for example, in EP 823,327 (Nagaska et al.) and EP 1,024,958 (McCullough et al.).

It may also be desirable that during the heat treatment, the imageable element is wrapped or encased in a water-impermeable sheet material to represent an effective barrier to moisture removal from the precursor. This sheet material is sufficiently flexible to conform closely to the shape of the imageable element (or stack thereof) and is generally in close contact with the imageable element (or stack thereof). For example, the water-impermeable sheet material is sealed around the edges of the imageable element or stack thereof. Such water-impermeable sheet materials include polymeric films or metal foils that are sealed around the edges of imageable element or stack thereof.

Alternatively, the heat treatment (or conditioning) of the imageable element (or stack thereof) is carried out in an environment in which relative humidity is controlled to from about 25%, or from about 30%. Relative humidity is defined as the amount of water vapor present in air expressed as a percentage of the amount of water required for saturation at a given temperature.

Usually, at least 5 and up to 100 imageable elements are heat treated at the same time. More commonly, such a stack includes at least 500 imageable elements.

In may be difficult to achieve good wrapping at the top and bottom of such a stack using the water-impermeable sheet material and in such instances, it may be desirable to use “dummy” or reject elements in those regions of the stack. Thus, the heat-treated (or “conditioned”) stack may include at least 100 useful imageable elements in combination with dummy or reject elements. These dummy or reject elements also serve to protect the useful elements from damage caused by the wrapping or sealing process.

Alternatively, the imageable element(s) may be heat treated in the form of a coil and then cut into individual elements at a later time. Such coils can include at least 1000 m² of imageable surface and more typically at least 3000 m² of imageable surface.

Adjacent coils or “spirals” or a coil, or strata of a stack may, if desired, be separated by interleaving materials, for example, papers or tissues that may be sized with plastics or resins (such as polythene).

Imaging and Development

The imageable elements of this invention can have any useful form including, but not limited to, printing plate precursors, printing cylinders, printing sleeves and printing tapes (including flexible printing webs). For example, the imageable members are lithographic printing plate precursors for forming lithographic printing plates.

Printing plate precursors can be of any useful size and shape (for example, square or rectangular) having the requisite imageable layer disposed on a suitable substrate. Printing cylinders and sleeves are known as rotary printing members having the substrate and imageable layer in a cylindrical form. Hollow or solid metal cores can be used as substrates for printing sleeves.

During use, the imageable elements are exposed to a suitable source of radiation such as UV, visible light, or infrared radiation, depending upon the radiation absorbing compound present in the radiation-sensitive composition, at a wavelength of from about 150 to about 1500 nm. For most embodiments, imaging is carried out using an infrared laser at a wavelength of from about 700 to about 1200 nm. The laser used to expose the imaging member is can be a diode laser, because of the reliability and low maintenance of diode laser systems, but other lasers such as gas or solid-state lasers may also be used. The combination of power, intensity and exposure time for laser imaging would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. Presently, high performance lasers or laser diodes used in commercially available imagesetters emit infrared radiation at a wavelength of from about 800 to about 850 nm or from about 1060 to about 1120 nm.

The imaging apparatus can function solely as a platesetter or it can be incorporated directly into a lithographic printing press. In the latter case, printing may commence immediately after imaging, thereby reducing press set-up time considerably. The imaging apparatus can be configured as a flatbed recorder or as a drum recorder, with the imageable member mounted to the interior or exterior cylindrical surface of the drum. A useful imaging apparatus is available as models of Creo Trendsetter® imagesetters available from Eastman Kodak Company (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) that contain laser diodes that emit near infrared radiation at a wavelength of about 830 nm. Other suitable imaging sources include the Crescent 42T Platesetter that operates at a wavelength of 1064 nm (available from Gerber Scientific, Chicago, Ill.) and the Screen PlateRite 4300 series or 8600 series platesetter (available from Screen, Chicago, Ill.). Additional useful sources of radiation include direct imaging presses that can be used to image an element while it is attached to the printing plate cylinder. An example of a suitable direct imaging printing press includes the Heidelberg SM74-DI press (available from Heidelberg, Dayton, Ohio).

IR Imaging speeds may be from about 30 to about 1500 mJ/cm² or from about 40 to about 200 mJ/cm².

While laser imaging is usually practiced, imaging can be provided by any other means that provides thermal energy in an imagewise fashion. For example, imaging can be accomplished using a thermoresistive head (thermal printing head) in what is known as “thermal printing”, described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,025 (Martin et al.). Thermal print heads are commercially available (for example, as Fujitsu Thermal Head FTP-040 MCS001 and TDK Thermal Head F415 HH7-1089).

Imaging is generally carried out using direct digital imaging. The image signals are stored as a bitmap data file on a computer. Such data files may be generated by a raster image processor (RIP) or other suitable means. The bitmaps are constructed to define the hue of the color as well as screen frequencies and angles.

Imaging of the imageable element produces an imaged element that comprises a latent image of imaged (exposed) and non-imaged (non-exposed) regions. Developing the imaged element with a suitable developer removes the exposed regions of the imageable layer and any layers underneath it, and exposing the hydrophilic surface of the substrate. Thus, such imageable elements are “positive-working” (for example, “positive-working” lithographic printing plate precursors).

Thus, development is carried out for a time sufficient to remove the imaged (exposed) regions of the imageable layer, but not long enough to remove the non-imaged (non-exposed) regions of the imageable layer. The imaged (exposed) regions of the imageable layer are described as being “soluble” or “removable” in the developer because they are removed, dissolved, or dispersed within the developer more readily than the non-imaged (non-exposed) regions of the imageable layer. Thus, the term “soluble” also means “dispersible”.

The imaged elements are generally developed using conventional processing conditions. Both aqueous alkaline developers and organic solvent-containing developers can be used. In most embodiments of the method of this invention, the higher pH aqueous alkaline developers that are commonly used to process positive-working imaged elements are used.

Such aqueous alkaline developers generally have a pH of at least 9 and preferably at least 11. Useful alkaline aqueous developers include 3000 Developer, 9000 Developer, GOLDSTAR Developer, GOLDSTAR Plus Developer, GOLDSTAR Premium Developer, GREENSTAR Developer, ThermalPro Developer, PROTHERM Developer, MX1813 Developer, T-189-8 Developer (noted below in the Examples), and MX1710 Developer (all available from Eastman Kodak Company), as well as Fuji HDP7 Developer (Fuji Photo) and Energy CTP Developer (Agfa). These compositions also generally include surfactants, chelating agents (such as salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), and various alkaline agents (such as inorganic metasilicates, organic metasilicates, hydroxides, and bicarbonates).

It may also be possible to use developers that are commonly used to process negative-working imaged elements. Such developers are generally single-phase solutions containing one or more organic solvents that are miscible with water. Useful organic solvents the reaction products of phenol with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide [such as ethylene glycol phenyl ether (phenoxyethanol)], benzyl alcohol, esters of ethylene glycol and of propylene glycol with acids having 6 or less carbon atoms, and ethers of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and of propylene glycol with alkyl groups having 6 or less carbon atoms, such as methoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol. The organic solvent(s) is generally present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 15% based on total developer weight. Such developers can be neutral, alkaline, or slightly acidic in pH. Most of these developers are alkaline in pH, for example up to 11.

Representative organic solvent-containing developers include ND-1 Developer, 955 Developer, “2 in 1” Developer, and 956 Developer (available from Eastman Kodak Company).

Generally, the developer is applied to the imaged element by rubbing or wiping it with an applicator containing the developer. Alternatively, the imaged element can be brushed with the developer or the developer may be applied by spraying the element with sufficient force to remove the exposed regions. Still again, the imaged element can be immersed in the developer. In all instances, a developed image is produced in a lithographic printing plate having excellent resistance to press room chemicals.

Following development, the imaged element can be rinsed with water and dried in a suitable fashion. The dried element can also be treated with a conventional gumming solution (preferably gum arabic).

The imaged and developed element can also be baked in a post-exposure bake operation that can be carried out to increase run length of the resulting imaged element. Baking can be carried out, for example at from about 220° C. to about 240° C. for from about 7 to about 10 minutes, or at about 120° C. for about 30 minutes.

Printing can be carried out by applying a lithographic ink and fountain solution to the printing surface of the imaged element. The ink is taken up by the non-imaged (non-exposed or non-removed) regions of the imageable layer and the fountain solution is taken up by the hydrophilic surface of the substrate revealed by the imaging and development process. The ink is then transferred to a suitable receiving material (such as cloth, paper, metal, glass, or plastic) to provide a desired impression of the image thereon. If desired, an intermediate “blanket” roller can be used to transfer the ink from the imaged member to the receiving material. The imaged members can be cleaned between impressions, if desired, using conventional cleaning means and chemicals.

The following examples are presented as a means to illustrate the practice of this invention but the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

EXAMPLES

The following components were used in the preparation and use of the examples. Unless otherwise indicated, the components are available from Aldrich Chemical Company (Milwaukee, Wis.):

BC represents butyl cellusolve (ethylene glycol butyl ether).

BF-03 represents a poly(vinyl alcohol), 98% hydrolyzed (Mw=15,000) that was obtained from Chang Chun Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Taiwan).

Crystal Violet (C.I. 42555) is Basic Violet 3 (λ_(max)=588 nm).

DAA represents diacetone alcohol (4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone).

DMFA represents N,N-dimethylformamide.

DMSO represents dimethylsulfoxide.

HEP represents 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone.

MC represents methyl cellulose.

MEK represents methyl ethyl ketone.

Mowilith® MCT5 is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and crotonic acid (Mw=36,000) (95:5 molar ratio), acid value of 35-45 mg KOH/g that was obtained from Synthomer Ltd. (Harlow, UK).

MSA represents methanesulfonic acid (99%).

NMP represents N-methyl pyrrolidone.

PG represents phloroglucinol.

PGide represents phloroglucide.

PM represents 1-methoxy-2-propanol.

PVA-co-crotonic acid represents a copolymer of poly(vinyl acetate-co-crotonic acid) (90:10 mole ratio), acid value 62-70 mg KOH/g.

S 0094 is an IR dye (λ_(max)=813 nm) that was obtained from FEW Chemicals (Germany).

S 0451 is an IR dye (λ_(max)=775 nm) that was obtained from FEW Chemicals (Germany).

Sudan Black B is a neutral diazo dye (C.U. 26150).

Synthomer MCTS is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and crotonic acid (Mw=36,000), acid value 35-45 mg KOH/g that was obtained from Synthomer Ltd. (Harlow, UK).

T-189-8 is an aqueous alkaline positive developer that was obtained from Eastman Kodak Company (Rochester, N.Y.).

TEA represents triethanolamine.

UV Wash is a lithographic blanket and roller wash that was obtained from Varn Chemical Products (Irlam, Greater Manchester, UK).

Preparation of Polymer A:

Polymer A was prepared as described in copending and commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 11/677,599 (filed Feb. 22, 2007 by Levanon et al.).

BF-03 (50 g) was added to reaction vessel fitted with a water-cooled condenser, a dropping funnel, and thermometer, and containing DMSO (200 g). With continual stirring, the mixture was heated for 30 minutes at 80° C. until it became a clear solution. The temperature was then adjusted at 60° C. and MSA (2.7g) in DMSO (50 g) was added. Over 15 minutes, a solution of butyraldehyde (10.4 g) was added to the reaction mixture and it was kept for 1 hour at 55-60° C. Then, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (salicylic aldehyde, 39 g) in DMSO (100 g) was added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was then diluted with anisole (350 g) and vacuum distillation was started. The anisole:water azeotrope was distilled out from the reaction mixture (less than 0.1% of water remained in the solution). The reaction mixture was chilled to room temperature and was neutralized with TEA (8 g) dissolved in DMSO (30 g), then blended with 6 kg of water. The precipitated polymer was washed with water, filtered and dried in vacuum for 24 hours at 50° C. to obtain 86 g of dry Polymer A.

Preparation of Polymer B:

Polymer B was prepared like Polymer A except that instead of a mixture of butyraldehyde and salicylic acid, only salicylic aldehyde (54 g) was used. About 85.0 g of Polymer B were obtained.

Preparation of Polymer C:

Polymer C was prepared like Polymer B except that instead of salicylic aldehyde, a mixture of salicylic aldehyde (13.6 g) and 2-hydroxynaphthoic aldehyde (43.6 g) was used. About 85.6 g of Polymer C were obtained.

Preparation of Polymer D:

Poly(vinyl acetate-co-crotonic acid) (100 g) was dissolved in methanol (1000 ml). A sodium methylate solution (2 grams of sodium and 40 ml of methanol) was added drop-wise to the polymer solution. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 30 minutes and the precipitated polymer particles were filtered off. Upon washing with methanol, the polymer was dried. The procedure described for Polymer B was used except that instead of BF-03 polyvinyl alcohol, 50 g of the precipitated polymer particles were used and MSA (5.5 g) was added. About 75 g of Polymer D were obtained.

Preparation of Polymer E:

The procedure used to prepare Polymer D was repeated except that instead of poly(vinyl acetate-co-crotonic acid), Mowilith® MCT5 (100 g) was used. About 75 grams of Polymer E were obtained.

Preparation of Polymer F:

The procedure used to prepare Polymer D was repeated except that instead of salicylic aldehyde, a mixture of salicylic aldehyde (23 g) and 2-hydroxynaphthoic aldehyde (27 g) was used. About 78.5 g of Polymer F were obtained.

Preparation of Polymer G:

Polymer C was prepared like Polymer B except that instead of salicylic aldehyde, a mixture of salicylic aldehyde (23.6 g), 2-hydroxynaphthoic aldehyde (28.4 g) and 2-formyl-phenoxyacetic acid (8 g) was used. About 88.2 g of Polymer G were obtained.

Comparative Example 1:

An imageable element outside of the present invention was prepared in the following manner. A radiation-sensitive composition was prepared using the following components:

Polymer A 11.5 g Crystal Violet 0.25 g S 0094 IR Dye 0.125 g  S 0451 IR Dye 0.225 g  Sudan Black B 0.125 g  PG 0.25 g PM   45 g MEK   34 g NMP  8.5 g

The composition was filtered and applied to an electrochemically roughened and anodized aluminum substrate that had been subjected to an after treatment using an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) by means of common methods and the resulting imageable layer coating is dried for 2.5 minutes at 100° C. in Glunz&Jensen “Unigraph Quartz” oven. The weight of each imageable layer was about 1.5 g/m².

The resulting imageable element was exposed on a CREO Lotem 400 Quantum imager in a range of energies 40 mJ/cm² to 120 mJ/cm² and developed at 21° C. in a Glunz&Jensen “InterPlater 85HD” processor using the T189-8 developer. The resulting printing plate was evaluated for sensitivity (clearing point: the lowest imaging energy at which the exposed regions were completely removed by the developer at a given temperature and time), solvent resistance, bake ability, and on-press run length. The results are shown in the following TABLE I below.

Invention Example 1

An imageable element of the present invention was prepared in the following manner. A radiation-sensitive composition was prepared using the following components:

Polymer B 10.8 g Crystal Violet 0.25 g S 0094 IR Dye 0.125 g  S 0451 IR Dye 0.225 g  Sudan Black B 0.125 g  PG   1 g PM 43.8 g MEK   35 g NMP 8.75 g

The composition was coated to provide an imageable layer and dried to provide an imageable element that was imaged, developed, and evaluated as described in Comparative Example 1. The results are shown in TABLE I below.

Invention Example 2

Another imageable element of the present invention was prepared in the following manner. A radiation-sensitive composition was prepared using the following components:

Polymer C 10.8 g Crystal Violet 0.25 g S 0094 IR Dye 0.125 g  S 0451 IR Dye 0.225 g  Sudan Black B 0.125 g  PG   1 g MC 64.7 g MEK 21.6 g NMP 1.25 g

The composition was coated to provide an imageable layer and dried to provide an imageable element that was imaged, developed, and evaluated for sensitivity and solvent resistance as described in Comparative Example 1. The results are shown in TABLE I below.

Invention Example 3

An imageable element of the present invention was prepared in the following manner. A radiation-sensitive composition was prepared using the following components:

Polymer D 10.8 g Crystal Violet 0.25 g S 0094 IR Dye 0.125 g  S 0451 IR Dye 0.225 g  Sudan Black B 0.125 g  PG   1 g MC 64.7 g MEK 21.6 g NMP 1.25 g

The composition was coated to provide an imageable layer and dried to provide an imageable element that was imaged, developed, and evaluated for sensitivity and solvent resistance as described in Comparative Example 1. The results are shown in TABLE I below.

Invention Examples 4 and 5

An imageable element was prepared in Example 4 like that of

Example 3 except that Polymer E was used instead of Polymer D. Similarly, an imageable element was prepared in Example 5 like that of Example 2 except that Polymer F was used instead of Polymer C. The results are shown in TABLE I below.

Invention Example 6

An imageable element was prepared in Example 6 like that of Comparative Example 1 except that Polymer G was used instead of Polymer A; and instead of 0.5 g of PG was used 0.5 g of PGide. The results are shown in TABLE I below

Comparative Examples 2 & 3

Two commercial positive-working printing plate precursors were compared to the imageable elements of the present invention. These commercial elements were a Kodak Sword Ultra Thermal Printing Plate that is available from

Kodak Polychrome Graphics, a subsidiary of Eastman Kodak Company (Norwalk, Conn.), and Fuji Photo's LH-PI printing plate. The Kodak Sword Ultra Thermal Printing Plate comprises a single imageable layer that contains a predominant polymeric binder that is outside the scope of the present invention. Fuji Photo's LH-PI printing plate has a single imageable layer that is also outside the scope of the present invention.

The elements of Invention Examples 1-6 and Comparative Examples 1-3 were evaluated in the following tests:

Resistance to UV Wash Test 1: Drops of the Varn UV Wash were placed on the imaged and developed printing plates at 1 minute intervals up to 4 minutes, and then the drops were removed with a cloth. The amount of removed printing layer was estimated.

Resistance to UV Wash Test 2: Drops of mixtures of diacetone alcohol (DAA) and water at different ratios were placed on the imaged and developed printing plates at 1 minute intervals up to 4 minutes, and then the drops were removed with a cloth. The amount of removed printing layer was estimated.

Resistance to Alcohol-Sub Fountain Solution: Drops of mixtures of 2-butoxyethanol (BC) and water at different ratios were placed on the imaged and developed printing plates at 1 minute intervals up to 4 minutes, and then the drops were removed with a cloth. The amount of removed printing layer was estimated.

The results of these tests are shown in the following TABLE I.

TABLE I SOLVENT RESISTANCE Resistance to Alcohol- Fountain Solution Resistance to UV Wash SENSITIVITY BC:H₂O (4:1) DAA:H₂0 (4:1) UV Wash (Varn) EXAMPLE POLYMER (mJ/cm²) 1 min 4 min 1 min 4 min 1 min 4 min Comparative 1 A 50 * * * * * * Invention 1 B 50 * * * * 14%  63% Invention 2 C 50  3% 23% 0 10% 0 13% Invention 3 D 60 20% * 13.5%   68% 2% 28% Invention 4 E 60 * * 37% * 11%  65% Invention 5 F 70 0 2.5%  0 14% 0  7% Invention 6 G 60 0 0 0 3.2%  0 3.7%  Comparative 2 14% 19% 15% 38% 8% 12% (Kodak SWORD ULTRA) Comparative 3 0  1% 28% 70% 1% 1.2%  (Fuji LH-PI) * Coating dissolved or almost dissolved.

The results in TABLE I show that the compositions containing the primary poly(vinyl acetals) within the scope of this invention provide imageable elements with excellent solvent resistance to a broad range of press chemicals and high sensitivity when imaged in digital imaging device at 700-1000 nm.

The imaged elements of Invention Examples 1-6 were baked after exposure in a Wisconsin SPC-HD 34/125 oven at 260° C. at speeds of 0.5 m/min. to 1.0 m/min. DMFA was then applied on each element surface for 5 minutes and wiped with a cloth. The conditions when no coating removal was observed considered as full baking These results are presented in TABLE II.

TABLE II EXAMPLE 0.5 m/minute 1 m/minute Comparative 1 Fully baked Invention 1 Fully baked Invention 2 Fully baked Invention 3 Fully baked Invention 4 Fully baked Invention 5 Fully baked Invention 6 Fully baked

The results in TABLE II show that the compositions containing the poly(vinyl acetals) according to this invention provide imageable elements with highly bakeable imageable layer coatings.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A positive-working imageable element comprising a substrate having thereon an imageable layer comprising a radiation-sensitive composition comprising: a. an alkaline soluble polymeric binder, and b. a radiation absorbing compound, the alkaline soluble polymeric binder being a poly(vinyl acetal) comprising recurring units that are represented by the following Structures (Id) and (Ie):

wherein R and R′ are independently hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or halo group, and R⁷ is the following group:

wherein X is a direct single bond or a —O—CH₂— group, the radiation-sensitive composition further comprising a developability-enhancing composition.
 22. The element of claim 21 wherein the alkaline soluble polymeric binder also comprises recurring units represented by the following Structures (Ia) and (Ib):

wherein R and R′ are as defined above, R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted phenol, substituted or unsubstituted naphthol, or substituted or unsubstituted anthracenol group, and R² is a substituted or unsubstituted naphthol but is different from R¹.
 23. The element of claim 21 wherein the alkaline soluble polymeric binder further comprises recurring units that are represented by one or more of the following Structures (Ic), (If), and (Ig):

wherein R and R′ are as defined above, R³ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, R⁴ is an —O—C(═O)R⁵ group wherein R⁵ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, R⁶ is a hydroxy group.
 24. The element of claim 23 wherein the recurring units represented by Structures (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), and (Ig) are present in the polymeric binder in the following amounts: at least 20 mol % of recurring units represented by Structure (Ia), at least 10 mol % of recurring units represented by Structure (Ib), from 2 to 10 mol % of recurring units represented by Structure (Ic), from 2 to 25 mol % of recurring units represented by both of Structures (Id) and (Ie) with the amounts being the same or different, from 1 to 15 mol % of recurring units represented by Structure (If), and from 15 to 30 mol % of recurring units represented by Structure (Ig).
 25. The element of claim 22 wherein the amount of recurring units represented by Structures (Ia) and (Ib) is less than or equal to 75 mol %.
 26. The element of claim 21 wherein the radiation absorbing compound is an infrared radiation absorbing compound.
 27. The element of claim 21 further comprising an alkaline soluble phenolic resin or a poly(vinyl acetal) not having recurring units represented by Structures (Id) and (Ie).
 28. The element of claim 21 wherein the developability-enhancing composition comprises one or more basic nitrogen-containing organic compounds, one or more acidic developability-enhancing compounds, or one or more of both the basic nitrogen-containing organic compounds and the acidic developability-enhancing compounds.
 29. The element of claim 28 wherein the one or more basic nitrogen-containing organic compounds are one or more of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine, N-phenyldiethanolamine, triethanolamine, 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxymethyl-1.3-propanediol, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylenediamine, N,N,N′N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)adipamide, and hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine, and the one or more acidic developability-enhancing compounds are one or more carboxylic acids or cyclic acid anhydrides, sulfonic acids, sulfinic acids, alkylsulfuric acids, phosphonic acids, phosphinic acids, phosphonic acid esters, phenols, sulfonamides, or sulfonamides.
 30. The element of claim 21 wherein the alkaline soluble polymeric binder is represented by the following Structure (I-A): -(A)_(m)-(B)_(n)-(C)_(p)-(D)_(q)-(E)_(r)-(F)_(s)-(G)_(t)-  (I-A) wherein: A represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ia):

B represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ib):

C represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ic):

D represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Id):

E represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ie):

F represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (If):

G represents recurring units represented by the following Structure (Ig):

wherein R and R′ are independently hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or halo group, R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted phenol, substituted or unsubstituted naphthol, or substituted or unsubstituted anthracenol group, R² is a substituted or unsubstituted naphthol but is different from R¹, R³ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, R⁴ is an —O—C(═O)—R⁵ group wherein R⁵ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or carboxy-substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, R⁶ is a hydroxy group, R⁷ is the following group:

wherein X is a direct single bond or a —O—CH₂— group, m is at least 30 mol %, n is at least 20 mol %, the sum of m and n (m+n) is less than or equal to 60 mol %, p is from 2 to 10 mol %, q and r are independently from 2 to 25 mol %, s is from 1 to 15 mol %, and t is from 15 to 30 mol %.
 31. The element of claim 21 further comprising a colorant dye.
 32. The element of claim 21 having a hydrophilic aluminum-containing substrate.
 33. A method of making a printing plate comprising: A) imagewise exposing the positive-working imageable element of claim 21 to provide exposed and non-exposed regions, and B) developing the imagewise exposed element to remove only the exposed regions.
 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the imageable element is imaged at a wavelength of from 700 to 1200 nm. 